New Discoveries and Honors in Cancer Research

Read the latest cancer research and recognition from the members of the Damon Runyon scientific circle.
December 8, 2011
New treatment combination improves breast cancer survival

David E. Lebwohl, MD (Damon Runyon Fellow ‘86-‘87) of Novartis, East Hanover, and colleagues, reported results of a Phase III clinical trial testing the treatment combination of everolimus (Afinitor), which blocks a protein known to affect blood vessel growth in cancer cells, and the hormone therapy exemestane (Aromasin). 724 metastatic breast cancer patients with hormone receptor-positive tumors were enrolled in the trial. Patients who received the combination survived progression-free for twice as long as those who only received exemestane (7.4 months vs. 3.2 months). The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.